AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19807, 30 November 1927, Page 16

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

AUCKLAND CLUB'S MEETING. ELLIOTT'S GREAT HUNDRED. TEAMS FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIPS. The outstanding performance at the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club's meeting last week was A. J. Elliott's convincing win in the 100 yds. handicap. The local champion has been seen to good advantage this season, but never was his finishing effort moro pronounced than last week. Although the time of 10s. has been challenged by a few well-known authorities, there is no denying the merit of Elliott's performance. The clear-cut manner in which ho beat McCoy, 2jyds., and L. R, Hook, 3yds., adds merit to the victory, as Hook has beaten Elliott on two occasion!: off a similar mark. In the final the pace was right on. as Elliott improved his time in the- heat by l-ss. and Hook could only get fourth, showing that Elliott's two runs were consistent. The Auckland champion is in great form

at present. Considerable interest was taken in the one mile relay handicap between two teams from the Auckland Club. The A team, Watts. McCoy, Williams and Elliott, raced in that order, against Savidan, Henry, Deere and Meredith. The contestants ran 83G/ds., 440 yds.. 220 yds. and 220 yds respectively. Watts made a solid pace for Savidan, and the former showed bad judgment in attempting to sprint 200 yds. from the finish. The young 880 yds. champion failed to sustain his effort, and Savidan beat him home in the good time of 2m. 2s. The 440 yds. was an easy thing, for McCoy, whose pace carried him right away from Henry. McCoy's time from running start was 50s. The 220 yds. men, Williams and Elliott, increased the gap, and the A team won by easily 20 yards. The time, 3m. 395., was very favourable for the first attempt. The passing of the baton could be greatly improved, and many seconds knocked off this time. In the past relay racing has been sadly neglected, and it is the intention of the Auckland Club to give every encouragement to this spectacular event, which will figure prominently at athletic meetings in future. The selection of the New Zealand team for the Australian and New Zealand amateur athletic championships is to be I made by Messrs. A. C. Kitto, E. C. Guy, j and C. H. Taylor. It is understood the* council is instructing Mr Taylor, who resides in Christchurch. to study the form at the New Zealand championships, and then come to Wellington to confer with the other two selectors resident, in Wellington. This course of action is hard to follow, says a Southern writer, seeing that Mr. Kitto is being sent to Christchurch by the Wellington centre. It is pointed out that the council should send the other Wellington selector to Christchurch, and so have the three selector:; right on the spot. At the time of writing both the Wellington and Canterbury centres have selected their teams foi the championship meeting, but so far Auckland has made no definite arrangements. A. J. Elliott, J. L. McCoy and J. W. Savidan are a trio likely to win Dominion honours, and it will be regretted should the local authorities not see their way clear to be represented by the local cracks.

The Technical Old Boys' Athletic Club will be deciding five events in the Domain on Wednesday next, at 5.15 p.m. The events will be 75yds., 300 yds., 600 yds. and 1000 yds senior handicaps, and 100 yds. junior handicap. I?OWING SEASON. DECISION OF CLUB RACES. REGATTA CREWS IN TRAINING. The weather conditions and tide were not very favourable for rowing last Saturday afternoon and the only trial events were those of the Waitemata Boating Club and the North Shore Rowing Club. In both cases a fine series of races resulted. The Waitemata Boating Club was favoured with a good water stretch and six crews competed. The selectors provided an even set of fours and the races proved a hard try-out to discover the winners. All the competitors were in great form and it was clearly evident that "close attention had been paid to training. The North Shore members had a very severe task set them in the Kohn Cup races. The course was a long one from Cheltenham Beach to the boathouse and, added to the length of the journey, the full force of the south-west wind and rough sea was met once the harbour was entered. E\>rtunately, the club has good seaboats and for the third successive series of trials the racing was without a swamping. Five crews competed and the issue was in doubt until the closing stages of the final. The form shown by the members also gave an indication of the training they indulge in. On Sunday the water conditions were much improved and all the clubs had big attendances. Regatta and pleasure crews made a big demand upon the boats all the morning and quite a number were afloat during the afternoon. Wherever possible the regatta crews indulged in long rows and generally a big improvement was noticeable in their work. As less than a month's training will be available for the crews, they will start quickening up in their work. The majority of the crews are very strong selections and the new men included show much promise. Advice from the country clubs also indicates there are good crews and the first meeting at Taufanga will bo keenly awaited. Next Saturday afternoon all the ciubs will bo busy racing, and these races will in some cases conclude tho trials prior to the Christmas holidays. Pairoar trials will bo decided by West End, the Auckland Club will hold trial fours for the Kohn Shield Waitemata will row trial fours, St. George's the annual trial fours for the Coates' Cup and Caps and North Shore trial fours for Mr. Graham's trophies.

The preliminary arrangements foi the third annual race between the soft goods houses of the city are now in progress The present indications are that three crows, Milne and Chovce (cup holders), J. Court, Ltd., and George Court and Son will meet. The North Shoro Club anticipates the race being rowed at its next at homo in February. The crews will start training this week. The eight-oar boats are still engaging the attention of the Auckland Rowing Association and the question of the best way to use them will probably bo do cided this week. Another matter to be considered is the selection of the crew for the inter-provincial eight-oar race to be decided at Wellington. Various suggestions have been mado by local oarsmen about the selection of the crew and it is recognised a most unenviable task awaits tha selector, or selectors.